CH. 13 - Climbing the Ladder

[GravityEmblem]

"And you, yours," Lillian says with a bow. She, meanwhile, goes to find Finbul, to start planning in earnest.

[Daos]

Ladonna
Ladonna heads back to the manor, and upstairs to Eowin's room.  However, she finds the way barred by a pair of guards who will not let her pass.  "Count's orders.  No one may enter," the guard explains.

Lillian
Lillian finds Finbul in a nearby park, having gone there after losing in the combat contest.  He is wandering around, admiring the trees and their gold, red and brown leaves falling off the branches.

[GravityEmblem]

"Hello, Finbul," Lillian greets. "...it is rather pretty. The leaves, I mean. I can understand the appeal to Druidism. No one else is going to protect nature, I suppose."

[HorizonsDream]

"Very well," Ladonna says. She heads back down to the festival to find her father and probably Relken.

[Daos]

Ladonna
Ladonna finds her father sitting at a small outside table at one of the nearby restaurants.  He is not with Relken, actually, but rather is sitting and talking with Ser Redna Kellerman of all people.

Lillian
"It is the way of my people; or rather, it was, before the old ways were forgotten," Finbul laments.  "I've heard stories that in ancient times, my people could cultivate crops in any terrain, no matter how inhospitable.  They could even grow food in the dead of winter."

[GravityEmblem]

"...oh, my," Lillian says with surprise. "It's too bad that knowledge was lost. Then the halflings wouldn't have to make do with being second-class citizens in human cities." She sighs. "So much has been forgotten--lost to history and fables...but, perhaps I'm being melodramatic. That tends to happen with bards."

[HorizonsDream]

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" Ladonna asks cautiously as she approaches her father and Redna.

[Daos]

Ladonna
Just before Ladonna speaks, Jonas finishes saying something and Redna laughs and lightly touches his arm.  They both turn to her when she speaks.  "Ah, Ladonna, there you are.  I was wondering where you wandered off, too," Jonas says.  "I watched the rest of the contest; you very nearly became champion!"

Lillian
Finbul chuckles.  "Well, it was actually the elves--your people--who originally enslaved mine and erased our heritage, not the humans," Finbul points out.  "Then the humans tried to do the same thing to the elves.  It's all a vicious cycle.  Anyway, I didn't stick around to see who won the combat contest.  Did you or Ladonna win?  Tell me at least it wasn't that Knight Errant dope."

[GravityEmblem]

"It was the Knight Errant, I'm afraid," Lillian says. "I'm not sure whether you'll be pleased or upset to know he was the Count's son."

[Daos]

Lillian
"The count's son was the winner?" Finbul repeats in surprise.  "Isn't that a conflict of interest?  The count was the one judging the whole contest.  That figures.  What's he even going to do with all that coin?  He's already rich.  What a waste," the druid laments.

[GravityEmblem]

"I don't think the count chooses the winner," Lillian says. "And anyway, he seemed quite angry about Eowin's competing. I think he intended to 'prove himself,' rather than acquire any more riches."

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna tucks away the bit of info about Redna touching her father's arm. "Very nearly," Ladonna says with a smile. "But runner up isn't bad. Unfortunately, I didn't have anymore tricks up my sleeve. This is my first festival in Hart, so I wasn't prepared completely for a fighting contest."

[Daos]

Ladonna
"Well," Redna says, standing up.  "There's always next year.  As the runner-up, people will likely be expecting you to return then.  Plenty of time to learn a few more tricks.  I understand that Sern has been mentoring you lately?  You can learn a great deal from him.  In any case, I should be off.  It was nice speaking with you, Jonas."  She then heads off.  Jonas offers Ladonna the chair Redna had just vacated.

Lillian
"I suppose he did prove himself, if he won," Finbul observes.  "Well, I hope he at least does the right thing and donates all that gold to a worthy cause.  I heard the winning prize was something like three thousand gold pieces."

[GravityEmblem]

"Hopefully, he will. Or perhaps he could be convinced. In fact," she adds. "His status could make him a powerful ally in our little quest. He is young and foolish, perhaps, but young and foolish nobles may be utilized for good, as well as ill."

[HorizonsDream]

"She didn't have to leave," Ladonna says as she takes the woman's chair. "Is there something going on between you two?"